WASHINGTON — Sen. Jeff Flake said the FBI investigation he pushed for last week did not bring about any new information regarding the sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Flake told reporters Thursday that the investigation had been comprehensive and "we've seen no additional corroborating information."
It's a stance echoed by other ranking GOP members as the FBI released its investigation.
"There's nothing in it that we didn't already know," Sen. Chuck Grassley said. "This investigation found no hint of misconduct."
Last week, Flake voted to advance Kavanaugh's confirmation to the full, but only if an FBI investigation followed. It was the second time he was instrumental in delaying the confirmation after he first demanded to hear publicly from Kavanaugh's accuser, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford.
Flake, who has been considered a swing vote, did not say what his current position is on the nomination, but his comments would appear to have created a potential sign of momentum for Kavanaugh.
Democrats, like Sen. Dianne Feinstein, have accused the White House of tying the hands of the FBI and preventing it from doing thorough investigation.
"We did not agree that the White House should tie the FBI's hands," Feinstein said.
Protesters gathered outside Flake Phoenix office Thursday.
Arizona women's advocacy groups are calling on Sen. Jeff Flake to not back Judge Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Members of the national organization UltraViolet Action and local groups held a midday rally on Thursday rally outside Flake's Phoenix office to support the women who have accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.
Phoenix police arrested four women protesters who refused to leave Flake's office.
Thirty-three Arizona women who described themselves as survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence on Wednesday sent an open letter asking Flake to publicly commit to rejecting Kavanaugh's nomination to the high court.
They say if he doesn't, he will send a "devastating message to millions of survivors that what happened to us doesn't matter."
A vote was scheduled for Friday. A final confirmation could come as early as this weekend.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
